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When Your “One Thing” Becomes a Risk
S.J. Scott
May 15, 2025
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📈 When Your “One Thing” Becomes a Risk
We all know the power of focusing on your "one thing." It’s the idea that by dedicating your energy to a single passion, hobby, or business, you can make real progress and find fulfillment. And honestly, having a deep obsession with one thing can be a beautiful thing—like a job you love, a sport you play, or a cause you volunteer for. It’s what keeps us motivated and gives our lives meaning.
But here’s the catch: there’s a danger in putting all your eggs in one basket.
I’ve learned this the hard way—twice.
When Your One Thing Is Your Identity (And It’s Taken Away)
The first time was with running.
From my teenage years well into my late 30s, running was my go-to form of exercise and a big part of who I was. I ran almost every day, and it wasn’t just about fitness; it was my passion, my stress relief, my identity. I was “the runner.”
But then age, injuries, and the sheer mileage caught up with me in my 40s. Suddenly, I wasn’t the runner I wanted to be anymore. I went from a guy who could push hard and compete to someone who struggled to keep up. For a few years, it was soul-crushing. I felt like an old guy who used to be good. I told myself stories about how I’d lost my edge, how I was “just done.”
It was a tough mental adjustment.
The second time was much more recent.
For years, I built a content publishing business that ran smoothly and generated solid income without demanding every waking hour. Because it was my “one thing,” I gave up other ideas—self-publishing, running newsletters, side projects—to focus on growing this business.
Then, AI and changes in Google’s search algorithms hit hard. Traffic dropped. Income dried up. Suddenly, my reliable “one thing” was shaky.
I was forced to face a harsh reality: what happens when your one thing disappears?
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The Identity Trap
This brings me to one of the biggest mistakes we can make: tying our identity too closely to one thing.
When you think of yourself only as a “runner,” “writer,” “entrepreneur,” or “coach,” it feels safe—until it’s not. Because if that one thing goes away, it can feel like you lose a part of yourself.
I’ve seen this happen to friends who lost jobs they loved, athletes sidelined by injury, creatives whose projects stalled. The emotional and sometimes financial fallout can be devastating.
Your identity is not your one thing. It’s broader, more flexible, and more resilient than that.
The Solution: Develop an Anti-Fragile Mindset
So how do you protect yourself from the dangers of focusing too much on your one thing?
The answer lies in developing what Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls an anti-fragile mindset.
Anti-fragility is the idea that some things don’t just resist shocks and stress—they actually grow stronger because of them. Unlike fragile things that break under pressure, anti-fragile systems adapt and improve.
When applied to your life and work, this means building habits, skills, and identities that don’t crumble when your one thing falters. Instead, you become more resilient, adaptable, and open to new opportunities.
Here are three practical ways I’ve found to cultivate this mindset:
1. Diversify Your Focus and Interests
Don’t rely on just one thing to give your life meaning or income. Explore other areas that interest you, even if they’re small or experimental.
For example, instead of putting all my energy into one business, I’m now exploring several ideas:
● Learning about AI technology and its potential
● Building and nurturing this newsletter
● Experimenting with “faceless” YouTube videos
● Dabbling in a few other side projects
My ultimate goal is to spread my income and creative energy across multiple streams. That way, if one falters, I’m not left stranded.
This doesn’t mean you have to chase every shiny object. It means being curious and open to new possibilities so you can adapt and grow.
2. Find Meaning Beyond Performance
Sometimes, you need to reframe what success looks like with your one thing.
Take running, for example. I can no longer show up to local 5Ks expecting to be one of the top runners like I did in my 20s. But now, I find meaning in coaching my 9-year-old son’s track team and running 5Ks with him. Helping him develop a love for running has become more rewarding than chasing personal records.
This shift in perspective saved me from feeling like a failure and gave me a deeper sense of purpose.
Whatever your one thing is, ask yourself: How can I find meaning in new ways, even if my previous version of success changes?
3. Experiment and Embrace New Skills
Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different interests.
One idea that’s helped me recently is dedicating about 20% of my free time to tinkering with new ideas, skills, or hobbies. This could mean:
● Trying a new sport or physical activity
● Learning a skill through “YouTube University”
● Volunteering for a cause that interests me
● Testing new business ideas or creative projects
Sure, most of these experiments won’t turn into anything big. But occasionally, you discover a cool hack or tool that improves your life or even sparks a new passion.
Experimentation keeps you flexible and opens doors you didn’t know existed.
Your Action Plan: Build Your Anti-Fragile Life
Ready to start protecting yourself from the risks of over-focusing on your one thing? Here’s a simple plan to get started:
Assess your current one thing. What is the main passion, hobby, or business that defines you right now? How much of your identity and energy does it take up?
Identify ways to diversify. Brainstorm 2-3 other interests or income streams you could explore. They don’t have to be huge—small side projects or hobbies count.
Reframe your success. Think about how you can find meaning and fulfillment beyond just performance or results. What new ways can you connect with your one thing that feel rewarding?
Schedule experimentation time. Block off 20% of your free time (even if it’s just an hour a week) to try new things, learn new skills, or explore new ideas.
Track your progress. Keep a journal or simple log of your experiments and reflections. Celebrate small wins and lessons learned.
Build your support system. Share your journey with friends, family, or a community. Having accountability and encouragement helps you stay open and resilient.
Final Thoughts
Obsession with your one thing can be a beautiful force that drives you forward. But it can also be a source of vulnerability if you put all your identity and energy into just one area.
By developing an anti-fragile mindset—diversifying your interests, finding new meaning, and embracing experimentation—you build resilience against life’s inevitable changes.
I’ve been through the highs and lows of losing my one thing twice now, and I can tell you: the freedom and peace that come from this mindset are worth it.
If you’re ready to start building your anti-fragile life, take action today. Your future self will thank you.
🗂️ The Resource Roundup
👀 Developing Awareness: Ryan Delaney shares insights from a week-long Vipassana meditation retreat, exploring how true awareness is both ordinary and effortless—and how noticing moments of awareness can bring more ease and presence into your everyday life.
💲 10 Steps To Prepare Your Finances For Retirement - Are you prepared to take control of your retirement finances? This article provides a clear, actionable 10-step guide to help you confidently prepare for retirement, ensuring you're on the right track to financial security and peace of mind.
⚙️ Why Artists Need To Master The Business Of Creativity - Are you an artist struggling to balance creativity with financial success? This article reveals the harsh realities of monetizing art, urging creatives to master both their craft and the business side of their careers to achieve financial independence and security.
🗂️ The Resource Roundup
👀 Developing Awareness: Ryan
Thanks for reading.
Talk soon!
Cheers,
Steve Scott
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Featuring 25+ tools like habit trackers, goal planners, time-blocking templates, and daily schedules in various increments, it’s designed to suit any lifestyle.
From project planning to energy audits, this bundle has everything you need to streamline your day and make progress effortlessly.